There are significant changes planned for the delivery of mental health services in Milwaukee County. The massive reorganization comes in response to well-publicized struggles by the County’s Behavioral Health Division.
One non-profit group that has been advocating for patients and their families for some time is the Milwaukee-based Vital Voices for Mental Health.
Vital Voices formed in 1995 because there was a need for some changes in the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health System, Sue Clark says. She is the agency's executive director. "Those that were receiving mental health services at the time felt that there was the need for an agency to help represent them and to advocate for them for quality services," she says.
The agency helps individuals connect with mental health services, but their main focus is helping individuals who are already receiving services as well as conducting satisfaction interviews and survey work, which allows individuals to voice their opinions on the services they are receiving.
Vital Voices is holding an outreach event, called Rock the Arts, Saturday, August 22 at 7 p.m. at Shank Hall, featuring local bands and artists.